Live

I hadn’t checked out my local Dollar Store lately and was sorry to see that it has become the Dollar Plus Twenty-Five Cents Store.  However, I was delighted to find some really sensational stickers . . . 

The three silvered squares in the windowpane were part of a large Slimline-sized chipboard backing full of stickers.  They’re dimensional but lightweight and I bought two packs of these.  To balance out the three squares I used, I die cut the window in black cardstock and put three of the panes into an embossing folder to make some raised circular designs.  These were mounted in the open squares.

I think I’ll go back to the Dollar Store and buy two more packs . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Strathmore Ultimate White, tinfoil        

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek a Frame, Kaiser Craft

Tribal Strips, EK Success punch Scalloped Corners,

DieVersions Noodles font “Live”             

Emb Fldr:     Cuttlebug Pop Culture

Doo Dads:    Crafters Square Tile Border Gems        

Blessings

Here is another version using the same leafy background stencil I posted on a card last week . . .

When I found that an embossing powder I had was a perfect match to some long unused cardstock, nothing would do but to put them to work.  Texture was added to the die cut leaves using the same piercing die I used to mat the stenciled leaves . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Bling Puppy Love, Strathmore Ultimate White  

Inks:             Atelier Shark Tooth White

Emb Pwdr:   B’Muse Amethyst

Dies:            Lawn Fawn Stitched Woodgrain Backdrop, Hero

Nested Frame Cuts Rectangles, Papertrey Ink

Happiness in Bloom Leaves, TK Online Celebration Set: “Blessings”             

Stencil:        Honey Bee Scattered Leaves: Background

Doo Dads:    Candi Dots Chocolate Box

Tidings

Every year, I swear that I’m going to simplify my Christmas cards and lessen the number of steps it takes to make them.  And every year, it takes me at least thirty steps to put each one together.  NOT this year . . .

I held firm and made these happen with less than ten steps apiece.  I love to fuss over all of my cards – especially those for Christmas.  But with seventy six cards to send out, reality must be faced.  So I did just that . . .

                   A Merry and very blessed Christmas to one and all!

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore Mixed Media #90, Carnival

Cover Red, Love Nicole Rainforest Collection         

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Tidings 2, Tim Holtz Flurry

& Pine

Inks:             Distress Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            Memory Box Leafy Ring, DieNamics Winter Wreath

(bow), Lil Inker Stitched Mats: Rectangles          

Doo Dads:    Stickles Silver 

Thinking of You

Every now and then, a cleanout can yield some real treasures.  This is especially true if you’ve collected so much stuff you’ve forgotten half of what’s in your bloated stash . . .

I unearthed a packet of this wonderful card-making set.  The layered rectangular windows were already cut out and the oatmeal insert I stamped on was also included.  The black layer was pre-trimmed to allow the Kraft card base to show.  This was a real time-saver and while this particular kit is no longer available, other pre-cut/layered choices abound.  Meanwhile, I found this five-card pack on sale at the Allentown PA stamp show a few years ago and as I picked up three packs, you’ll be seeing this set again!  I think this design would be especially great for guy cards . . .    

The card base is 5 ¾” square and I’ll be mailing it in a 6x9” envelope in order to avoid the extra postage that is charged for square envelopes.  The postal sorting machines are programmed to deal with rectangular shapes - square shapes evidently drive them crazy, hence the extra charge to cover the mental health issues involved.

Coloring was done with mostly Prismas and plenty of Gamsol to blend and smooth out the pencil strokes.  I am everlastingly grateful to both the inventor of Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits and to the creative genius who introduced it to the stamping world.  Blending and shading are now a cinch instead of a struggle and I have a smile on my face every time I use it!

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Square Card Overlay Kit with Fossil,

Black Hopsack, Oatmeal cardstocks       

Stamps:       Rubber Moon Summertime: Large Tree with Hills

Inks:             Hero Cup O’ Joe

Colorants:    Prisma Sap Green Light, Kelly Green, Sienna Brown,

Chocolate, Powder Blue, Staedtler Non-photo Blue,

Stabilo #8043

Dies:            Wplus9 Banner Trio, DieVersions Hint of Lime           

Doo Dads:    Gamsol, Candi Dots Choc-a-Mocha      

Blessings

This one started out with high hopes, quickly descended into the commode, and then rose again like the phoenix to become one of my favorites . . .

 

  . . . and that’s what I love about stamping!  There are so many ways to turn disaster into victory.  This background suffered from leaky stenciling which I fixed by tracing over the white lines with a white pen.  I also ran the stencil and the cardstock through my die cutting machine which gave the leaves some needed dimension.  A little scattered glitter helped distract from the imprecise stenciling. 

The dragonfly wings are two layers of vellum also dry embossed and propped up with my new go-to of clear rolled glue dots placed underneath at the base of the wings and next to the body.  The wings will flatten in the envelope, but will rise again when it’s opened – just like the phoenix . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Monochromatic Greens set, Canson Montval

Watercolor #140         

Inks:             Archival Leaf Green, Fern Green, Gelly Roll pen Clear

Waterclrs:    Adirondack Color Wash Lettuce

Emb Pwdr:   Stampendous Shabby White

Dies:            Memory Box Stitched Rectangle Trimmings, Spellbinders

Fanciful Flight, Blessings Vine Frame set: “Blessings”,

Tonic Wings & Things (dragonfly body) 

Stencil:        Honey Bee Scattered Leaves: Background, Details

Emb Fldr:     Paper Discovery Ornamental Gravel

Gone . . .

Recently, my friend Lynn had to put down her beloved cat Jasper as his senior years had become a struggle . . .

I thought a simple layout would work the best here.  He was a much loved and long-time member of the family.  RIP, Jasper . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Parakeet, Canson Montval Watercolor #140    

Stamps:       Simon Says “Loved & missed”

Inks:             ColorBox Black

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Film Strip, Impression

Obsession Cat Set, Elizabeth Craft Ribbons 1,

DieNamics Stitched Rectangle Word Windows,

Marianne Butterflies set                   

Doo Dads:    Wink of Stella Black

Soar

Recently inspired to do a major organization of my decorative papers, I also dived into my Scrap Stash and unearthed this lovely background . . .

 

I honestly think I could be very happy for several years by putting together layouts featuring nothing but the goodies in my towering Scrap Stash.  I’ve got nine clamshell containers stuffed with extras and leftovers from twenty two years of stamping.  They’re also stuffed with inspiration which never fails me, especially when the Muse has gone silent for the day.  Saving things is a really good idea . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Juneberry, Pear, Stampin’ Up Vellum, Scraps

Gold, smooshy background from a Fred Mullett class    

Inks:             ColorBox Gold, Gelly Roll marker Clear

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Rectangle Frames, Memory Box

butterflies: Corden, Powel, Pippi (butterfly body),

DieVersions font Noodles               

Emb Fldr:     Unknown “Tiles”, Memory Box Stitched Rectangle

Trimmings

Doo Dads:    Viva Paper Pen Gold        

Happy Anniversary

Here's a return to a recently discovered technique I can’t get enough of . . .

  . . . Double Stamped Vellum.  On this one, I used a solid image to stamp the back side in dark brown.  I think it makes the white embossed leaves on the front stand out a little more.  I’ll be coming back to this technique many times in future, so brace yourselves.

 

Cardstock:   American Crafts Textured White, Strathmore

Ultimate White, Stampin Up Vellum    

Stamps:        Verve Autumn Splendor, Hero “Happy Anniversary”

Inks:               Gina K Charcoal Brown, ColorBox Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White

Emb Fldr:      Paper Discovery Ornamental Gravel

Dies:              Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Pieces, Memory Box Cascadia

Butterfly Trio, Simon Says Sentiment Labels                 

Doo Dads:    Gelly Roll Clear